19 Things to do in Munnar | Recommendations from my personal experiences

Situated 1600 m above the sea level, Munnar is located at the meeting point of three mountain ranges namely Kundala, Nallathanni, and Mudrapuzha. There are many things to do in Munnar. This town is also famous as a hill station and was the summer resort of the British government when they had colonized India. Exotic holiday facilities, winding lanes, tea plantations spread over stretches and picturesque town make it a popular resort destination during the holidays. Located in the mountain ranges of Western Ghats, this place is now divided into two parts old Munnar where the tourism office is located and Munnar where guest houses and transport facilities such as bus station are located.

Here, I have listed some things to do in Munnar. Do feel free to add any suggestions in the comment section below.

1. Explore the Eravikulam National Park

A major tourist attraction, this park covers an area of 97 square kilometers and is home to endangered species Nilgiri Tahr. The park is also the habitat of several unique animals, birds, and butterflies. You can also go for trekking in this park and enjoy a spectacular view of tea plantations and misty hills. The park is also the prime spot where you will find Neelakurinji, a rare flower that blooms once in 12 years and paints the earth’s canvas blue offering an enchanting view to the visitors. A sure add to the things to do in Munnar.

Things to do in Munnar

2. Take a shower at Attukad waterfalls

This is a famous tourist spot, situated around 9 km from Munnar where you can witness the waterfall surrounded by jungles and hills. The path leading to the location is stunningly beautiful. The Attukal waterfalls are situated at a place between Munnar and Pallivasal. The waterfall has a narrow bridge that is a little risky because of the potholes but if you take your four-wheeler on the bridge, it helps you see some outstanding visuals of the waterfall. You can enjoy the scenic beauty sipping a hot cup of cardamom tea that is offered by the tea stall located close to the falls. If you love waterfalls, visiting here has to be one of the things to do in Munnar!

3. Admire the surreal landscapes at Kolukkumalai Tea Plantations

Situated at a distance of 35 kilometers from Munnar, Kolukkumalai Tea Plantations is on the top of the mountainous ridges which lie at an altitude of 8000 feet from the sea level. The place is renowned for its famous for its excellent and rejuvenating tea, surrounding mountain ranges and panoramic views of the place. The tea estate is situated at a 90-minute drive from Munnar and offers a refreshing experience. The place also has a factor at the center which is said to be 70 plus years old and was built in 1930’s. For authentic local essence, visiting Kolukkumalai is a must inclusion in things to do in Munnar!

Things to do in Munnar

4. Gape at the awesome Lockhart gap point

Situated at 13 km from Munnar this serene place is surrounded by misty hills that have a healthy climate due to the fresh air surrounding the place. Located close to Mattupetty, this is the perfect place if you want to try some adventurous things amidst nature. You can explore the area, go trekking and enjoy an amazing view of the tea plantations and deep valleys. The Lockhart gap offers some stunning visuals when the sky is illuminated with a tinge of orange as the sun sets over the horizon and moist clouds take over the valley surface. The place has some distinct combination of flora and fauna that makes it a place you should definitely visit if you are a nature enthusiast and love capturing photographs of the same. Your list of things to do in Munnar would be incomplete without going here.

5. Let your hair down at Cheeyyapara Waterfalls

Lying in Idukki district, these waterfalls are situated on the Kochi-Madurai highway. The Cheyyapara waterfalls are located at a distance of 40 km from Munnar and lie between Neriamangalam and Adimali. The waterfalls are a sight to behold as the water here outpours down in seven steps and make the visitors go in awe of the natural beauty. The waterfalls are located at an altitude of 1000 feet above the sea level and can be easily reached as it is well connected to cities in the nearby neighborhood. You can also enjoy trekking here. Again a recommended inclusion in things to do in Munnar if you love waterfalls.

Things to do in Munnar

6. Spend an evening at Mattupetty Dam

One of the worth visiting places, Mattupetty is located at an elevation of 1700 m from sea level and is situated at a distance of 13 km from Munnar. The place is well known for its concrete masonry dam that is used primarily for water storage for the hydroelectric projects. There is also a lake nearby that allows the visitors to indulge in pleasant boat rides and enjoy the surrounding beautiful landscapes. The place offers some serene views of the nature that can have a soothing impact on you. This place also has a huge number of water holes where the elephants are known to be frequent visitors. Include visiting here in your things to do in Munnar list.

Things to do in Munnar

7. Spend a lazy afternoon at Pallivasal

A prime destination that is thronged by tourists, the town of Pallivasal is a major attraction for the Pallivasal Falls. If you are looking to take a break from the hectic city life and want to unwind yourselves amidst nature, then Pallivasal is the right place for you. Situated amongst nature, this town is untouched by fast life and commercialism and has its own serenity. This is an ideal place for nature enthusiasts and photographers who love to capture candid pictures of the splendid natural landscapes. The town is popular for having the first hydroelectric project of the state. If a quaint village is your cup of tea, visiting this village is one of the most recommended things to do in Munnar.

Things to do in Munnar

8. Learn about tea at Tata Tea Museum

This Tea Museum set up by Tata Tea depicts the journey of the tea industry and its significant turning points that made it so large today. The museum includes various machinery and photographs that tell the tale of contributions made by pioneers over the years to the industry. The museum is situated at Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea which is located in Munnar. It pays a fitting tribute to the stalwarts that made determined efforts to make Munnar the leading tea plantation center of the state Kerala. Visitors here can get full knowledge of the how tea is processed and can also get information about how black tea is actually produced. The museum includes some major attractions such as “Rotorvane”,”Pelton Wheel” to name a few. It also has a demo room where the visitors are invited to try out a unique tea tasting experience that you will surely cherish for a lifetime. For the curious traveler, including this museum in things to do in Munnar is recommended!

Things to do in Munnar

 

9. Explore Marayoor Dolmens and around

Diversely beautiful and exotic, Marayoor is a place offers you abundant places that you can visit. These include rocky hills, rivers, and waterfalls, cave temples with paintings, sandalwood trees and bamboo forests. The Dolmen, also known as Muniyaras was the living abode of the ancient Sadhus and is said to be present since the Stone Age. They were made with the help of rock slabs on three sides and covered with a fourth slab as the roof. A dolmen with rock slabs can also be found at this place. The 5th slab in the Muniyaras acted like an entrance door to the living place. The place is also famous for blue colored flowers Neelkurinji which blooms once in a period of 12 years. For an explorer, no other things to do in Munnar can beat this.

Things to do in Munnar

10. Visit the Blossom Park

Situated at a distance of 3 kilometers from the Town of Munnar, this 16 acre stretch of park is a popular tourist destination, especially for kids. Located on the banks of the Muthirappuzha River, this park is adjacent to the Pallivasal hydroelectric project and falls in old Munnar. The park has flourishing beautiful flowers that include orchids too. It is rich in greenery and the huge number of mountain butterflies, waterfalls and flowing river at the center adds to the elegance of the park. The Blossom Park provides facilities such as trekking, roller skating, boating, and bird watching. It also includes fun activities like music playing along with the side of pit fire. You can also enjoy badminton, walks in nature, cycling here. The park has a huge play area for children and stands out distinctly because of the ropeways, swings and tree houses. If you love flora and fauna, include this in your things to do in Munnar.

Things to do in Munnar

11. Take in the awesome view from Top Station

This viewpoint is located at the tallest height in Munnar and lies more than 40 kilometers from the town. If your luck prevails, you will reach this point and enjoy mesmerizing beauty of nature without a foggy atmosphere. Munnar is often frequented by heavy rains that cover the picturesque landscapes of the town. The route to reach this point is very long but you can enjoy beautiful scenic views, take a halt at the two dams, and have a look at the tea gardens on the way while you drive to this particular point. A good suggestion will be to start your Munnar trip from this point and then proceed with other interesting places. Camping here can be a lovely inclusion in things to do in Munnar.

Things to do in Munnar

12. Revel in some more views from Pothamedu View Point

Pothamedu Viewpoint is situated at 6 km distance from Munnar and gives the visitors a marvelous view of cardamom, coffee and tea plantations of the town. The place is suitable for long walks in the mountains and you can also take part in trekking adventures. The lush rolling hills offer you some fabulous views of the environment. The hilly terrain of this viewpoint particularly highlights the cardamom plantations that are clearly visible. In order to reach this place, you have to drive across narrow paths and an old bridge and you can witness some breathtaking scenarios on your way. You can also sip a hot cup of tea and feel Munnar to the fullest extent to admire its beauty. include this in your things to do in Munnar and you will not regret.

Things to do in Munnar

13. Enjoy cool breeze at Kundala Lake

The first arc dam of Asia, Kundala Lake is situated between the mountain ranges and is at a distance of 20 km from Munnar. This is an artificial reservoir which also provides boating facilities to the visitors. If you are planning to visit this place go for a Shikra boat ride in the lake and enjoy an altogether different experience. The Pedal boating which costs 150 Rs. for a couple is the most favored activity for honeymoon couples who have Kerala as their destination. You can also go sightseeing, window shopping and take part in speed boating at this place.  The place is also famous for echo point where your voice reverberates and you can hear a repeat of the words you just pronounced. Do include in your things to do in Munnar.

14. Spend quality time at Indo Swiss Dairy Farm

Mattupetty is also famous as the cattle village as it has a dairy farm located at 15 km from Munnar. The Indo-Swiss Dairy project was inaugurated in 1963 and contains around 400 breeds of cattle which are of top class quality and reared with utmost care. This dairy farm is situated at a distance of 3 km from the dam and has been significant in increasing the livestock farming in Kerala. Cool climate, the opulence of green fodder and near about 11 cattle sheds make this place a perfect for carrying out the farming activities. You can also find unique species of flowers like seasonal flowers, senaias, roses and dahlias at this place.  The evolution of a cross-breed, Swiss Brown is a milestone in this project. This particular breed is said to be adaptive the place’s climate and returning excellent results. You can enjoy a unique experience by looking at the cattle’s grazing in the field. This is a prominent landmark for tourists visiting Munnar. Recommended inclusion in things to do in Munnar.

Things to do in Munnar

15. Visit the Life of Pi Church

This particular church in Munnar became famous after it was a part of the critically acclaimed film Life of Pi which was appreciated worldwide. The protagonist visited this church in his bid to survival and the film explores the surrounding areas of the Munnar town which have been beautifully portrayed in the film. A movie aficionado will love including this attraction in things to do in Munnar.

Things to do in Munnar

16. Explore wilderness at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary is at a distance of 60 km from Munnar and is located on the SH 17 in Marayoor and Kanthallor village council which lie in the Idukki district. This place is perfect if you want to notice wildlife closely and take part in trekking activities. This wildlife sanctuary is home to around 34 mammal species that include spotted deer, tigers, elephants, panthers and also Grizzled giant squirrel which is an endangered species in India. There are around 254 species of birds living here which can be a treat for the bird watchers.

Things to do in Munnar

17. Visit the Powerhouse Falls

These waterfalls 18 km from Munnar and can be a breakpoint on your journey to another major tourist destination Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary located in Thekkady. The waterfall derived its name from an old powerhouse that is located in its vicinity. The source of this captivating waterfall is said to be SeethaDevi Kulam and the water falls from an altitude of 2000 meter above the sea level. According to the legend, it is said that Goddess Sita imparted healing properties to this place when she used to bathe here. The waterfalls are surrounded by beautiful landscapes that involve tea plantations, hill ranges, and tall trees. There are better waterfalls in Munnar, so if you are short of time, you can skip including this in your things to do in Munnar list.

Things to do in Munnar

18. Offer prayers at CSI Christ Church

The British constructed this church in AD 1910. It is among the most admired places in Munnar. The chapel is well-known for its beautiful stained glass windows and carved brass plaques that are a tribute to the tea planters. It is the headquarters of 18 outstation churches and thousand plus Tamil families. The foundation of this church was laid on the instance of Easter on 15 April 1900 by Rt. Rev. Noel Hodes. The building has aesthetic architecture and delicate interiors that will make you appreciate its beauty and take worth capturing photographs. You can include this in your things to do in Munnar only if you can admire the architecture and corresponding rustic feel.

Things to do in Munnar

19. Visit the 2nd highest peak in Munnar, Meesapulimala

With an altitude of 2640 meters, this is the second highest peak in the Western Ghats and an excellent place to go trekking. The hiking activity begins from the silent valley and ends between the gardens of tea plantations and dense forest. When you reach the top of the peak you can get a stunning view of the tea estates that are spread across the area. You can take the help of a local guide for obtaining required permissions and trekking. Foran adventure seeker, including this in things to do in Munnar is highly recommended.

Things to do in Munnar

I hope you liked my list of things to do in Munnar. Do share your suggestions in case you would like to add anything to this list.